DMK to challenge Waqf Amendment Bill in SC.
Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin asserted that the state would strongly oppose the issue at hand and emerge victorious. He emphasized Tamil Nadu’s determination to resist any unjust measures, vowing that the government would not back down. Stalin’s statement reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the state’s interests, expressing confidence in success. His remarks resonated with a strong sense of defiance, signaling that Tamil Nadu was prepared to take all necessary steps to prevail.
On Thursday, April 3, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly criticized the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha and declared that the DMK would challenge the legislation in the Supreme Court.
While addressing the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, CM Stalin stated that the state would resist the bill and ultimately emerge victorious in its opposition.
As a form of protest against the bill’s approval in the Lok Sabha, DMK legislators attended the Assembly session wearing black badges. Stalin recalled that on March 27, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution urging the bill’s withdrawal, arguing that it threatened religious harmony and had adverse effects on the Muslim minority community.
He further emphasized that a large section of political parties across India opposed the bill. However, the significant number of votes against the bill should not be overlooked,” he remarked.
Stalin pointed out that 232 members had voted against the bill, highlighting that this was not a minor opposition. “The resistance could have been even stronger. This law must be completely revoked,” he insisted.
Stalin Criticizes the Timing of the Bill’s Passage
CM Stalin also condemned the manner in which the bill was passed, taking issue with its approval at 2 am. He argued that introducing and approving such sensitive legislation at an unusual hour, without considering opposition from major political parties, was a direct attack on the Indian Constitution and an effort to disrupt communal harmony.
Reaffirming the DMK’s stance, he stated that the party would take the battle against the Waqf Amendment Bill to the Supreme Court, ensuring Tamil Nadu’s continued legal and political opposition to the legislation.
The Lok Sabha passed the bill in the early hours of April 3 following a 12-hour-long debate. Of the total votes cast, 288 members supported the bill, while 232 voted against it. Despite substantial resistance, all amendments proposed by opposition members were dismissed through voice votes.
During the discussion, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) defended the bill, asserting that it aimed to benefit minority communities. In contrast, opposition parties denounced it as discriminatory against Muslims and a violation of secular principles.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, responding to the criticism, assured that minorities in India remain safe and secure. They are protected because the majority community in India is entirely secular,” he claimed.
The debate surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill has intensified, with multiple states and political parties planning further legal and democratic actions against its implementation.
Overview of the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, introduces new measures concerning Waqf property registration and administration. According to the bill, all Waqf properties must now be registered with the district collector’s office for evaluation. Additionally, any property that the government previously declared or may declare as Waqf property in the future will not automatically be considered as such under the amended law.
The district collector has been granted the authority to determine whether a property qualifies as Waqf land or falls under government ownership. Once a decision is made, the collector must update the revenue records and report the findings to the state government. Until this process is completed, the property in question will not be officially recognized as Waqf land.
Moreover, disputes arising from Waqf board decisions can now be appealed in high courts. The bill also eliminates provisions that previously permitted properties to be designated as Waqf based on oral declarations or disputes. These provisions were traditionally accepted under Islamic law until formal documentation (waqfnama) was created. Under the new law, a property lacking a valid waqfnama will be considered suspect or disputed and will not be used until the district collector reaches a final decision.
What is Waqf Property?
A Waqf property refers to any movable or immovable asset dedicated to religious or charitable purposes through a legally binding deed or instrument. The concept of Waqf predates formal documentation, meaning that properties in long-term religious or community use have often been recognized as Waqf assets.
Waqf properties can either serve public charitable purposes or be designated as family Waqfs, providing benefits to an individual’s descendants. Such properties are non-transferable and are perpetually held in the name of God. Typically, the income generated from Waqf properties is utilized to support educational institutions, mosques, graveyards, and shelter homes, offering significant benefits to the Muslim community.